Even if you don't know Edgar Barrera's name, you know his work. The multiple Grammy-winning writer and producer has worked with dozens of the biggest names in Latin music — Bad Bunny, Maluma, Karol G, Camilo — the list goes on. But he's also one of the main forces pushing regional Mexican into the mainstream over the past few years, and turning Pan-Latin sounds into pop perfection.This week on Alt.Latino, Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre visit Barrera in his studio, as he breaks down how he makes a hit song.Songs featured in this episode:•Toy Selectah, "Hay Guey"•El Cuarteto de Nos, "Enamorado tuyo"•Grupo Frontera, Nicki Nicole, "Desquite"•Manuel Turizo and Marshmello, "El Merengue"•Carin León and Maluma, "Según Quién"Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre, and Isabella Gomez Sarmiento discuss their favorite music releases of 2024 so far, including tracks from Nathy Peluso and Trueno. They highlight the diverse music scene in Spain, praise Angelica Garcia's genre-blending album, and explore the talents of Melissa Aldana and Nati Peluso. The episode features a range of music styles and female vocalists, showcasing the vibrant Latin music scene.

The Library of Congress' National Recording Registry is more than just a collection of music and sound — it's a reflection of who we are as a country. In April, two new Spanish language songs were added to the registry: Juan Gabriel's "Amor Eterno" and Héctor Lavoe's "El Cantante."This week on Alt.Latino, Felix and Ana take the opportunity to dive into the Spanish language songs that have made it into the historic collection, as well as share their dream picks for what should be chosen next.Songs featured in this episode:•Héctor Lavoe, "El Cantante"•Juan Gabriel, "Amor Eterno (En Vivo [En el Palacio de Bellas Artes])"•Buena Vista Social Club, "Chan Chan"•Buena Vista Social Club, "Orgullecida"•Buena Vista Social Club, "El Carretero"•Santana, "Oye Como Va"•Lydia Mendoza, "Mal Hombre (Cold-Hearted Man)"•Dizzy Gillespie feat. Chano Pozo, "Manteca"•Ivy Queen, "Quiero Bailar"•Jose Feliciano, "El Reloj"•Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ana and Felix collect their favorite recent releases from the past few months, including new material from the breakout regional band Grupo Frontera, a country/Latin cross-over in the music of Wyatt Flores, a new song from groundbreaking rapper Mala Rodriguez and more.Songs featured in this episode:•Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, "Mas Que Nada"•Luis Muñoz, "Crescent Moon"•Mala Rodriguez, "Casi Nada [Explicit]"•Alih Jay, "Bang Bang (Mi Baby Me Mató)"•Cher, "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)"•Grupo Frontera, "Me Hizo Un Favor"•Wyatt Flores, "Half Life"•Danny Ocean, "Cero Condiciones [Explicit]"•Fabiola Méndez, "Lamento en Celinés"•Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, "EL ÚNICO"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It's the 10th annual Tiny Desk contest and there's been a strong showing of Latin artists behind desks across the United States and Puerto Rico.Felix and Ana sifted through all the entries and pulled their favorites from artists with roots all across the Americas. And if one of them ends up winning, you can thank us for the introduction.Songs featured in this episode:•Cathia, "Taza de Café"•Manu Manzo, "Celos"•Mireya Ramos and the Poor Choices, "Quiero Volver"•Flaco el Jandro, "Lluvia Pesada"•Los Quinceañeros, "Guero"•La Doña, "Loser Girl"•Alejandro Aranda, "Pieces"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler, with editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite new music, from Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko's boundary-pushing new music, to Alejandro Escovedo's genre-bending rock and Angelica Garcia's electro-cumbia.Songs featured in this episode:• Young Miko, "Tamagotchi"• The Mavericks, "Moon & Stars (with Sierra Ferrell)"• Angélica Garcia, "Juanita"• Alejandro Escovedo, "Castañuelas"• Nella, Yendry, "Veinte Años"• Sheila E., "Bemba Colorá (ft. Gloria Estefan and Mimy Succar)"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler. Hazel Cills is the podcast editor and digital editor for Alt.Latino, and our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The release of Beyoncés Cowboy Carter has sparked a national conversation about who gets to sing country music and the complex roots of the genre. Which got Alt.Latino thinking — what about the Latinos in country?This week, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras travel to Austin, Texas to speak with AmeriChicana musician Carrie Rodriguez about the difference between violin and fiddle, strings and "strangs," and who gets to play country music.Songs featured:•Carin Leon, Leon Bridges: "It Was Always You (Siempre Fuiste Tu)"•Cuco Sanchez: "La Cama de Piedra"•Merle Haggard: "Big City"•Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys: "San Antonio Rose"•Robert Earl Keen: "Feelin' Good Again"•Chip Taylor, Carrie Rodriguez: "Dirty Little Texas Story"•Eva Garza: "Quiero Verte Una Vez Mas"•Rick Trevino: "Doctor Time"•Ruben Ramos: "Crying Time"•Sammy Arriaga: "Tennessee Whiskey - Spanglish"•The Mavericks: "There Goes My Heart"•Louie TheSinger: "Come and Take It"•Carrie Rodriguez: "I Dreamed I Was Lola Beltran"•Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler. Hazel Cills is the podcast editor and digital editor for Alt.Latino, and our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre, and Isabella Gomez Sarmiento discuss what defines a Shakira record, the evolution of pop artists, and appreciating favorite artists even if their music doesn't always resonate. They explore Shakira's latest album, 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran', and the challenges of reinventing oneself in the music industry.

The weather's heating up and so are the music releases. The hosts of Alt.Latino share their most quintessentially them picks, with Latin jazz across the board from Felix and indie pop-rock bops from Ana. The two sit down to ping-pong favorite picks back and forth from different parts of the country — plus, Felix puts Ana's picks to an impromptu test.Featured tracks:Lara Project, "Extraños"Julieta Eugenio, "Breath I"Esteman, Villano Antillano, "Noches de Verano"Rodrigo Recabarren, Pablo Menares, Yago Vazquez, "Santiago"Elsa y Elmar, "entre las piernas"Hurray for the Riff Raff, "Hawkmoon"Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Joaquin Cotler. Hazel Cills is the podcast editor and digital editor for Alt.Latino, and our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Is it really a good idea to take a vacation with your coworkers? If you're part of the Alt.Latino team, it is. Last month Alt.Latino co-host Anamaria Sayre decided to join Felix Contreras on a planned trip to attend the 39th annual Havana Jazz Festival, an international event that attracts fans of both Cuban music and jazz from around the world. Spread out among several historic venues around the Cuban capital city, the team spent eight days taking in the sights and sounds of one of the oldest cities in Latin America. Hours before they returned home, Felix and Ana recorded this episode reflecting on everything they heard and the legacy of Cuba's musical diversity.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy